Safety Alert

If you are in immediate danger please call 911.

Remember, computer use and the history of a computer can be monitored. It is difficult to clear all footprints from a specific computer.
If you feel that information sent or received from the computer you are using could be accessed at a later date, it may be safer for
you to call the BRAVO office instead.

Call BRAVO at 614.294.7867or
1.866.86 BRAVO (1.866.862.7286)

This web site is intended for informational and reporting purposes only. We cannot guarantee that submitted information will be received
or processed immediately.

Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence. Out of darkness - into the light.

Among numerous other emotions, survivors of sexual violence may feel shame, depression, anger, powerlessness, and denial. While survivors
may feel that they were the cause of the situation - this is not true - sexual violence is never the survivors fault. There is no "normal"
emotional response to being attacked, and no survivor is responsible for the violence they endured.

Survivors may not want to come out in order to receive medical care, legal follow-up, or emotional support. It is always the survivors
choice to disclose details regarding identity and all survivors deserve equal access to services in a supportive and affirming environment,
regardless of whether or not they come out. Only you know what will make you feel safest as you work through the after-effects
of being sexually assaulted. BRAVO can connect you to agencies and people who can provide non-biased, non-homophobic, non-transphobic
support and services.

Survivors may question their sexual orientation and/or gender identity after being sexually assaulted. We must remember that sexual violence
is about violence, power and control. It is not about sex. It does not define who you are. Sexual violence cannot determine anyones
self-identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

In Ohio, all survivors of sexual violence have a legal right to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. For support or more information
contact BRAVO.

has your partner(s) or someone else:

Touched you against your will?

Coerced, threatened, or pressured you into sexual contact you did not want?

Disrespected your safe words?

Posted nude photos/videos of you without your consent?

Forced you to recount past sexual experiences?

You are Not Alone

If you have been sexually assaulted

GET TO A SAFE PLACE

CALL SOMEONE YOU TRUST - Such as a friend, family member, or 911 (if safe to do so).

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION - Primarily to ensure your well-being. You may also choose to to have forensic evidence collected, this
is your choice. If you choose to seek medical care, you are NOT required to have a forensic exam. If you wish to have a forensic
exam for the purposes evidence collection please note: It is recommended to not shower, bathe, douche, brush teeth, use the bathroom,
smoke, eat, drink, or change your clothes before going to the hospital. If you must change, bring the clothes you were wearing
at the time of the assault with you to the hospital.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO HEAL - You are a survivor and what happened was not your fault. Recovering from sexual violence is a process;
consider reaching out for assistance, it is a process and we are here to help.

BRAVO works to eliminate violence perpetrated on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identification, domestic violence, and sexual
assault through prevention, education, advocacy, violence documentation, and survivor services, both within and on behalf of the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2012-UW-AX-0003 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions,
findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.